Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25575, John Furguson, Mass. N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. N.H.
Ferguson, John Ferguson alias (Wilson, John)
N. 25575. B.L.M. 14528-160-55-
Mary
CONTENTS

4068
Pittsburgh Agency
John Farguson
of _____ in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Scott of the Reg t commanded by Col. Prescott in the War Department line for Penn te 10 mos $ 53 33
Inserted on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of January 1833 and sent to Hon. J. H. L. McKim Com. Rep.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 - $79. 99 Semi-annual allowance ending 14 Mar. 1833 - 26. 66
$106.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Luce Clerk, Book D Vol. 2 Page 193

4.200 Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Mary Ferguson widow of John Ferguson who served in the Revolution- ary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 53. Dollars 33, Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 3 rd day of June, 1854 and sent to
John Taylor Esq Pittsburgh Pa.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 114 Vol. A
1321
62 142 5.

115.209 - Act Mar 3 / 53
May 3 / 53
Mary Ferguson widow of John Ferguson his Ferguson
Map: State Dept. Revolutionary War Pension
14528 Mon acre, Jan'y 11/56; Penn. July 55 - 2400/11/56
mm
Thomas Woods Pittsburgh Penn a
Vol. F. 28.

JOHN FERGUSON.
————— DECEMBER 22, 1831. —————
MR. HUBBARD, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of John Ferguson, report:
John Ferguson, it appears, was a native of New Hampshire. He enlisted in the year 1775, in the troops of that State, for the term of nine months, in Captain William Scott's company; was in the battle of Bunker-hill, and served faithfully until the end of his term, and was honorably discharged. In 1778, he again enlisted for eight months in Captain Drury's company, of the Massachusetts' line, and was again discharged at the end of his term and service, in the State of New York, near West Point. Both discharges were lost by the burning of his stepfather's house, where he resided. His service, in all, was seventeen months. He is now old and poor; has a wife, with several children, dependent wholly upon him for support. His age renders him unable to labor, and he prays relief.
To the above statement the petitioner makes oath. The certificate of a number of the inhabitants of the town of Washington, Pa. of the first respectability, accompanies the petition, which represents the applicant as a man of strict honesty and integrity, to whose statement full credit may be given. A similar certificate has been furnished by the Hon. Mr. McKennon, the representative in Congress from that district.
The committee are of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to a pension; and therefore report a bill.

State of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny ss
Before me the undersigned a Notary Public in and for said County, personally appeared Charles Ferguson, a resident of the city of Pittsburgh aged 41 years, who, I certify, is a person well worthy of belief, and made oath in due form of law, that he is a son of John Ferguson, deceased, who was a Revolutionary serviceman of the United States, and of Mary Ferguson, who now claims a pension in right of the revolutionary services of his said deceased father. That he has never seen or heard of any public or private record of his said father and mother's marriage, and believes there is no such record in existence; that he has heard his mother say, she had no record of her marriage, and that she did not know of any, either public or private to be in existence. He further states, that he has often seen and looked over all the books and papers left by his father, as well as those in possession of his mother and there is no such record among them. Charles Ferguson.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9 th day of August 1853. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal at the city of Pittsburgh.
C. M. Ernst Notary Public

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. The petition of John Ferguson, of Washington County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, humbly represents.
That in the Spring of the year 1775, when after a long series of oppressions on the one part, and of forbearance on the other, the Colonists were driven to take up arms in defence of their just rights, and an act of wanton aggression on the part of the British troops had caused the shedding of the first blood in that Memorable Contest, the news spread abroad in every direction and the young active and patriotic inhabitants flocked to join the Standard of their Country then for the first time unfurled. That your petitioner being then about 19 years of age and residing with his Step Father John Wilson whose name he had borne almost from his infancy at Hoddart in the West part of the State of New Hampshire about 75 Miles from Boston immediately upon the receipt of the intelligence of the transactions at Concord, Lexington and Boston, turned out and having equipped himself with gun ammunition and other things necessary proceeded with all possible expedition to the scene of action, and in about ten days after the first blow was struck at Lexington join- ed the body of his Countrymen in arms at Cambridge near Boston. He at once enrolled himself or enlisted by the name of John Wilson in the New Hampshire troops for the term of nine months in the Company Commanded by Capt. William Scott (afterwards Major Scott) in the Regiment of Col. Stark (afterwards Gen. Stark) and continued actively and arduous- ly employed during the whole term of his enlistment, within which time he was engaged in the ever Memorable and glorious battle of Bunkerhill. At the expiration of

his term of service which was on the last day of December 1775 he was regularly discharged at Cambridge and returned home. It may perhaps be proper to mention that shortly after the Battle of Bunker Hill two Companies and another commanded by Capt. Stetson were transferred from Col. Stark's Regiment to Col. Sargeant's Regiment in the Massachusetts line, and that his discharge was from Col. Sargeant's Regiment. Your petitioner remained at home from that time till about June in the year 1778 when he again felt himself impelled by duty to offer his services to his Country and he enlisted in Capt. John Dury's Company in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Gail, in Morgan's Brigade of the Massachusetts line for the term of Eight months. - About the first of February 1779 he was discharged honorably at the Highlands in the State of New York near West point. Your petitioner unfortunately lost both his discharge and the burning of his Step father's house at Haddam in which they were contained; but he has no doubt his name will be found among the records of the War Office. It will be observed he bore the name of John Wilson, which name he had taken upon the Marriage of his Mother to his Step father when he was very young and the name was given him by his Step father which he continued to bear till he set out to live by himself and separated from his Step father after his last term of service. Your petitioner is now as old and frail man, being upwards of Seventy one years old, and has a wife much younger than himself and four small Children and is in such reduced circumstances as to need the assistance of his Country. He has no real property and but a few articles of household goods and is obliged to support his little family by his own personal exertions which as he grows older become more feeble. He is unable to produce any testimony of his ser- vices other than his own statement as he now resides so far

from the place of his nativity and is ignorant whether the long time of years has left any of his Contemporaries who could tes- tify in his behalf even if his poverty would permit him to go in search of them. His case not being embraced within the provisions of the general pension law (there having been no regular soldiers authorised by law prior to the fall of 1775) he places his sole reliance in your honorable Body not doubting that you will be disposed to give a favourable ear to such an applica- tion. He knows the high and honorable estimation in which revolutionary services are held by his grateful Countrymen, who enjoy as the result of that glorious struggle the best Gov- ernment on earth and he therefore with the more confidence prays your honorable Body to pass a law granting him such relief as in your wisdom you shall think most proper. And as in duty bound he will pray &c. John Ferguson
Pennsylvania. Washington County ss. Personally before me one of the Commonwealth's Justices of the peace in and for the County of Washington aforesaid, Came John Ferguson the above petitioner who being duly sworn according to law deposes and saith that the facts set forth in the said petition are true to the best of his knowledge and belief; and that he has never received any pension either from the United States or any individual State. And further that deponent saith not. John Ferguson
Sworn & subscribed before me 15 March 1828.
John Marshall

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Washington County ss
I William Sample Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County do hereby certify that John Marshall Esquire before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time and now is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereof set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Washington the twenty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Wm Sample Prothonotary By J. Reynolds
Lawrence S. Pennington
The subscribers Inhabitants of Washington County Pennsylvania beg leave to state that we are well acquainted with the above Petitioner John Ferguson and we have no hesitation in saying that he is a man of good character and that his statement is entitled to full credit. We further state he is in very reduced circumstances. He has lived in this County for about twenty years and has uniformly sustained the character of truth and honesty.
Sam Cunningham Stephen Wolbert
John Wilson
Alexander Reed
David Loral
Geo Baird
Henry Langly
H. Wilson
Daniel Moore
C. H. Reed
Wm L. Mc Thomas Foge John Gregg
James Cox John Brady Samuel Warbitt
W. P. M. B.
B. Colburn
John H. M.
Rev. J. H. H.

1151209
M rs Mary Ferguson. Application for Bounty Land
Thomas Wood agent Pittsburgh Pa

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, } ss. COUNTY OF Allegheny }
On this _____ day of April , A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty- five , personally appeared before me, an Alderman in and of a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mrs Mary Ferguson aged 65 years, a resident of Allegheny County and State of Pennsylvania , who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Ferguson deceased who was a soldier in the revolutionary war and that in his lifetime he received a pension for said services, and that she his widow now receives a pension as such widow as the records of the department of the interior will show and also the records of the pension office dated June third eighteen hundred and fifty four on the widows pension list of Revolutionary soldiers She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March third eighteen hundred and fifty five
Mary Ferguson Mark
WE, David McLelland and Thomas Wood , residents of of the County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania , upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mary Ferguson in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. also that we of our own knowledge know such to be the fact David McLelland Thomas Wood
The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year above written.
David Boyd Ad
Thomas Woodring for me

ALLEGHENY COUNTY,
State of Pennsylvania,
ss.
I,
Edw Campbell
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegheny, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the same being a Court of Law and Record, do by these presents certify, that David Boyd Esquire, before whom the foregoing acknowledgement was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper handwriting, subscribed his name, was at that time, and now is, An Alderman of the City of Pittsburgh & Co Officer
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and authorized by law to take acknowledgments, administer oaths, &c. to all whose acts, as such, due faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Pittsburgh, in the said County, this first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty- six , and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America, the seventy- ninth
E Campbell
PROTHONOTARY.

John Taylor Pittsburgh Pa

State of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny. Sss
In open Court of Common Pleas held at the city of Pittsburgh in and for said county on this 14 th day of May 1853, personally appeared before the Judges thereof, Mary Ferguson a resident of, and one of said County in the County of Washington and State aforesaid, aged Sixty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd February 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow of John Ferguson who was a private in the Revolutionary army, and was a pensioner of the United States on the Roll of the Pittsburgh Pension Agency, for act of June 7 th 1832, at the rate of Fifty three 33 / 4 dollars per annum, and that his original Pension Certificate was surrendered to the Agent for paying pensions in the city of Pittsburgh between the 4 th March and 14 th of September 1843, on being paid the balance of pension due up to the day of his death.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Ferguson on the 15 th day of June eighteen hundred and nine; that her said husband died on the 11 th day of May eighteen hundred and forty two; that she was not married to him prior to the Second of January eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
W. B. McVane New Bridge Com Pleas.
Witness James Howard
for Mary X Ferguson mark

Also, at the same time and, as within mentioned personally appeared Thomas Woods and David McLelland, (two credible witnesses) and made oath in due form of law that they were personally and well acquainted with John Ferguson the within named and knew him for the space of thirty years and more previous to his death, that he and Mary Ferguson the foregoing declarant lived together as man and wife up to the time of his death, so recognized and treated each other and were universally so recognized, held, treated and esteemed by all their neighbors, friends and acquaintances and as such formed a family children; that the said John Ferguson is dead, and as they believe died in the day and year within mentioned, and that the said Mary Ferguson has remained a widow since that time and is now a widow. They further declare that they have no interest whatever in this her application for a pension.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 11 th day of May 1853, before me. Thomas Woods one of the witnesses modifies the above so as to read thirty five years instead of thirty years.
Thomas Woods David McLelland
W. H. McMe Present Judge Comm Pleas.
I am acquainted with the above named Thomas Woods and David McLelland and know them to be gentlemen of respectability and credible witnesses. — May 31, 1853. David Ritchie M.C.
21 Dist. Penn a

I do hereby authorize and empower John Taylor of the city of Pittsburgh to demand and receive from the Department of the Interior the Pension Certificate to which I may be entitled for the Revolutionary services of my deceased husband. Witness my hand at the city of Pittsburgh this 14 th May 1853.
Witness Wm Howard
for Mary X Ferguson mark
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, ss. State of Pennsylvania,
I, William H. Clancey Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Allegheny in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the same being a Court of Law and Record, do by these presents certify, that William H. Clancey Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit was taken, and who has thereunto, in his own proper handwriting, subscribed his name, was at that time, and now is, William H. Clancey of the Court of Common Pleas
an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and authorized by law to administer oaths &c to all whose acts, as such, due faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, throughout the United States and elsewhere.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Pittsburgh, in the said County, this fifteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty- three and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America, the seventy- seventh
ATTEST:
William H. Clancey PROTHONOTARY.

Swans Subscribed before me This 4 th day of January 1833. James Blaine
John Ferguson
13.507 Distribution of John Ferguson

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress. signed June 7 th , 1832.
Pennsylvania Washington County,
On this 7 th day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in & for the County aforesaid. John Ferguson, a resident of Cheston Township, County & State aforesaid, age seventy five years, by the 28 th of January 1833, who being first duly sworn according to law, cloth on his oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, signed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, & served as herein stated. In the year 1775. I resided in Chester Co New Hampshire. & in the spring of this year, volunteered with a number of others, & marched to Cambridge near Boston. At this place I enlisted under Capt William Scott (afterwards Mayor) & Lieutenant William Scott, in the Regiment of Col. Stark of the New Hampshire Troops. In the period of nine months, I enlisted by the name of John Wilson, which name I took upon the marriage of my mother, to my step father, which name I took by the direction of my step father, & continued in it, till I left him. I continued here entirely employed, & engaged & was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, in June 1775. In this battle we lost fourteen of our Company, under the command of Capt Scott, & our Lieutenant Scott was wounded, & left on the field. Our army was commanded by Col. Prescott, Genl. Putnam. We remained here until the last of December 1775, when we were regularly discharged & after serving nine months. After the Battle of Bunker Hill, our company, with another commanded by Capt. Stiles, were transferred from Col. Stark's Regiment, to Col. Sargents Regiment, on the Massachusetts line, & my discharge was obtained from Col. Sargents Regiment. I remained at home in Chester Co. New Hampshire - till June 1776, when I again enlisted under Capt. John Dury, & Lieutenant Heart, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Wood, & Col. Hail, in Mason's Brigade, of the Massachusetts line for the term of eight months. We marched to a place called Wooster, & then proceeded

At Wautauga on the Connecticut River. We then proceeded to a place called Park's Hill, on the North River, about sixty miles above the City of New York. We remained here a few days, & another Brigade from West Point, joined with us & marched to the White Plains. We remained here three months, actively employed in various duties. After the battle of Monmouth, Genl Washington brought his army to the White Plains, & remained here some time. On the 16th of September, in the year the Army scattered, & we marched under our old Captain, in company with five Brigades, under Col Wood & Col Hails, to a place called Danbury. We then marched back to Park's Hill, & then to the Highlands, where we took winter quarters. We remained here till about the first of February 1779, when we were discharged by Col Wood, after a service of eight months. I was born in the year 1757, in Litchfield County. Near Housatonic the name of the County I cannot recollect, I have no record of my age in this County. When I entered the service I lived in Berkshire Co New Hampshire, & have lived for the last twenty three years, in this County. I first volunteered, & afterwards enlisted in the service. I am not able to state the name of any more of the regular officers, nor of the continental regiments, or militia regiments. nor do I received two written discharges, one from Col Hays & one from Col Wood, & were both burnt at the time my step father's house was consumed, at Stockbridge. I know of no surviving witness, who can testify to my services. I am well known by Col John Morgan, Col M c Clough, Col Hays & others, who can testify to my character for veracity, & who believe I was a soldier of the Revolution. That I have no documentary testimony & nor do I know of any person who can testify to my services. I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Given to & subscribed the day & year expressed in open court. John Ferguson Housatonic Officer John Ferguson

We John Morgan & Sarah Steen of Shaler Township, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Ferguson, of Shaler Township, County of Washington & State of Pennsylvania, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about seventy five years of age; that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides & have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed to the above open session in Open Court. Thomas Officer. John Morgan Sarah Steen
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Morgan & Sarah Steen, who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents of Shaler Township in the County aforesaid, & are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Thomas Officer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Washington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Ferguson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 4th day of October 1832. Thomas Officer Pooty
Washington County } Pa } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the
Peace in & for the County aforesaid, John Ferguson, who has sworn & subscribed the foregoing declaration, & being again sworn, doth say, that he is not a member of any of the congregations in his vicinity, & that he is not acquainted with any clergymen, in whom he could confide in Court, & testify to their own belief & that of the neighborhood, respecting his revolutionary services. The said

deponent further saith, that in reference to his first enlistment, mentioned in his declaration, - he enlisted as before mentioned, in the latter part of the month of April, in the year 1775, but that the enlistment was dated back to the first of the said month of April, from which time his pay was to commence, & that he was regularly discharged in the latter part of the month of December 1775, after a service of full  nine months.
Second Subscribed before me This 4 day of January 1833. James Blair
John Ferguson
13.507 Declaration of John Ferguson
I do certify that Jas Blair Esq r is an acting Jus- tice of the peace of Washington County Penna. and that the above is his signature -
H. M. L. McHerman
Jan 4 th 1833

September 26, 1958.
Mr. Frederick E. McCain 521-22 Hammond Building Detroit, Michigan.
BA-J/MCHF/ILL Samuel Furgeson S. 29151 aw
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request a certified copy of the pension application of Samuel Ferguson, Revolutionary War soldier of Connecticut, file #29151.
All papers in the pension claim cited by you have been examined very carefully and the data therein in regard to births, deaths, family, residences, service, etc., incorporated in a report for you, herewith. These official reports have been accepted as authentic by various historical, patriotic and genealogical societies and it is hoped that this one will be sufficient for your research, as the documents in this particular case are very frail indeed. The process of preparing photostatic copies is necessarily injurious to such fragile papers. If, however, this report does not suffice, the matter will be given further attention.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

May 25, 1931.
Mrs. C. F. Barr, Burgettstown, Pennsylvania.
Rev.&1812 Wars Section ADY John Ferguson, W.25575
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the Revolutionary War records of this bureau that John Ferguson (pensioned as Ferguson) was born January 29, 1757 in Londonderry Township, New Hampshire.
While residing with his stepfather, John Wilson, in Stoddard, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, John Ferguson enlisted April 20, 1775 in Cambridge, Massachusetts under the name of John Wilson, served in Captain William Scott's Company, Colonel Stark's New Hampshire Regiment and Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent's Massachusetts Regiment; was in the battle of Bunker Hill and discharged December 31, 1775.
He enlisted June 6, 1778, served in Captain John Drury's Company, Colonels Hale's and Ezra Wood's Massachusetts Regiments and was discharged February 10, 1779.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832 while a resident of Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he had lived for twenty-three years. in which county
He died May 11, 1842.
Soldier married June 15, 1809, Mary, her maiden name not stated. She was allowed pension on her application executed May 14, 1853 while a resident of Washington County, Pennsylvania, aged sixty-four years. In 1855 she was living in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
date of death not on A.B.
living near Candor, in

Four children are referred to, only name stated being Charles Ferguson, who was a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1853 and then aged forty-one years.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

John Ferguson
April 7. 1828
Ref d to Com ee Mil. Pensions.
Apr 29 - 1828
Bill reported No. 283
Dec 5 1828
Ref d to Com ee Mil. Pensions
Allowed S. & A.
Dec. 16. 1829.
Ref d to Com ee on Mil. Pensions
Dec r 12th 1831
Referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
Dec r 22. 1831
Bill reported No. 70.
5
McKean 58. Pons
W. Lawrence

2 Rep'd Co. 11 th May 1842. "Benth"

1157209
1157209
Rev. D. F. Hale. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City D. C.

FREE
L. P. Walker Esq Owner of Runins Washington D. C.

May 15. 1855
App d of Mary Ferguson widow of John
Washington Co.
Pa age 32 .. 53.33
4068
Act 3 d Feby: 1853 $53.33 per An. Com: Feby: 3 d 1853. Rev:
John Taylor Pittsburgh Pa.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Pension Office, Official Buff.

✓ 14.528
g
New Ameg

Henry Mary, child BostonBoston
L. S. Waldo Esq. House of Samson Washington D.C.
VERNON
Recd May 31st 1832

Rev Mr. Pierce May 31 st 1854
Sir,
Please certify the time to which the will was named and if no was paid at the date of his death.
Very Respectfully,
S. Hale To the Commissioners
11 May 1852
"B. B. B."
Francis Burt, Esq. Rev. Andrew D. Pease
John Ferguson, not 1832, $53.33 for annuity Paid 11 May 1852
F. Burt
Administrator

March 153, Pa! W. H. H.

The Chairman of the town - written on Rev. Fenners.
Present
11

Gentlemen,
The Chairman of your Committee has been polite enough to hand me for perusal the papers in the case of John Ferguson an applicant for a pension and I would beg leave to state that I am personally acquainted with the applicant and have every confidence in the correctness of his statement. He has long been a resident in my district and has always sustained an irreproachable character for honesty & truth. He is a praisable, good citizen, and a man of industrious and temperate habits.
I am also personally & intimately acquainted with the gentlemen who have borne testimony to his character and conduct, and know them to be men of the first respectability.
I have thought it not improper to make these suggestions on behalf of this old man who now stands in great need of the aid of his country.
It will be perceived that as early as April 1828 a favorable report in his case was made by your committee and a bill reported in his favor which, however, has never been acted on.
Yours very respectfully
Th. M. S. McLean
Dec r 26. 1831.
In addition to the above I beg leave to state to the pension Office that the general reputation in the neighborhood of Mr. Ferguson's residence is that he was a revolutionary soldier.
Th. M. S. McLean
July 3 rd 1832.

John Ferguson a revolutionary soldier certificate of her State of Massachusetts
Washington. Member of Congress
Gen. R. M. T. McLean
[Handwritten signature or mark]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Dec r 24 th 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of John Wilson is borne on a roll of Capt. John Drury's Company, in Col. Ezra Woods Regiment. "for service at North River, and is made up thereon for a service of eight months & four days — viz. from June 6. 1778 to Feb. 10. 1779. —
Also on two Rolls of Capt. William Scott's Company, in Col. Paul Dudley Sergeant's Regiment, which rolls together show his service from April 20 1775 for three months and twenty days. —
There are two Rolls of Companies commanded by persons of the name of Stiles , viz. one by

Capt. Henry Scott, and one by Capt. Jeremiah Stiles, for services in 1775, but neither bearing the name of John Wilson or John Ferguson.
The rolls of the 8 months service in 1775, are very incomplete, but few being to be found relating to services after August 8 th in that year, and there are no rolls of Capt. Scott's or beside those here mentioned for the year 1775.
Edward Bangs Secy

Return this. John Ferguson,
16 mo-
$53:33 per ann
Hon. T. M. T. M c Kenner

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Ferguson further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No. He must specify the times at which he entered & left the troops in his first enlistment. V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
I would advise him to apply to E.D. Bangs Esq. Secretary of state of Massachusetts, for evidence of his last service - as his name is not on the rolls of service in this Department.

rief in the case of Mary Ferguson. Widow of John Walker the County and State of Pa. act 3 rd Feby: 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Deed was acknowledged under the act of June 1835. No wills proved at the Manger. I have testified several years of Manger's death. (If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
John Saylor Esq. Pittsburgh Pa. Name and residence of Agent
[Signature] Examining Clerk.

Pittsburgh May 14 1853.
Sir,
Enclosed, I respectfully submit the application of Mrs. Mary Ferguson widow of John Ferguson dec d . who was a pensioner per act of June 7 1832, for a pension under the provision of the act of July 3 1853.
The account in the Third Auditor's office of the Pension Agent of this city for the 1 st or 2 nd quarter of 1853, and his Semi-Annual report of July 1 st 1853, filed in your own office, will furnish additional evidence, if required, to the fact of her husband's death, that he left a widow &c. With the form, is filed the husband's original Pension certificate surrendered to the Agent of this city.
Very respectfully
Your obt Servt John Taylor
L. P. Waldo Esq Home of Pensions Washington D.C.

Pittsburgh May 29 th 1854.
Sir,
In the matter of the application of Mary Ferguson widow of John Ferguson deceased, for a pension under act of Feby. 3 1853, I have the honor to enclose, in compliance with the requirements of your letter of the 30 th July last, the affidavit of her son Charles, a highly respectable citizen of this city, to the fact that there is no public or private record of his father's mother's marriage in existence. The old lady lives in Washington County, some thirty or forty miles distant, and her testimony could not be conveniently obtained. It is hoped, therefore, that that of her son, who states, he is perfectly conversant with all the family affairs, will be deemed sufficient.
John S. Hamilton Esq one of our Representatives in the last Legislature will call on you in a day or two in relation to this matter and give you a statement of his knowledge of the respectability &c of Mrs Ferguson and her family.
I should have attended to this long

ago, but being engaged in other pursuits entirely overlooked it and two or three others cases still pending in your office.
I am Sir,
With great respect Your old Servt John Taylor
S. P. Warner Esq House of Pensions Washington D. C.

C. F. BARR Principal Union High School BURGETTSTOWN, PA.
44 Florence Ave. Burgettstown, Pa. Apr. 18, 1931
Dept of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D. C. Gentlemen:
Would you kindly inform me if there is a record of a pension for the Revolutionary War for John Ferguson . He was born Jan. 11, 1757 and died on May 11, 1842. His

wife's name was Mary Wood Ferguson . She died on Feb. 7, 1866. The pension likely would have been mailed to Mansfield (Carnegie) Pa. or some Post Office close there.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs. C. F. Barr

J. S. & F. G. Ferguson, Attorneys at Law, Pittsburgh, Pa. 408 GRANT ST.
Pittsburgh December 27. 1892
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.
Dear Sir:
My grandfather John Ferguson was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War and I would like to get from your office such information concerning him as I can. He was born in Stamford, Conn. and served first at Brattle Hill according to such information as I have. He subsequently served but in what Regiment I do not know. Somewhat later in life he came to Washington County, Penna and there married my grandmother Mary Ferguson. She after his death drew a pension as his widow, which was paid to her at the Pittsburgh Pension Agency until her death some time between 1860 - 1870. I presume you can furnish me with information showing when and for what length of time he served etc. If you will do so and let me know your charges, I will remit the amount.
Yours Truly
John S. Ferguson

Mar. 10.
to John S. Ferguson, Pittsburg, Pa.
F.S.
Sept. 27-1901 Dr. S. Ferguson Pittsburgh, Pa. could not be furnished but a list of writings by him will be permitted to make copies 1931 May 25. Hist. to Mrs. C. F. Barr. N.Y.
Ref
WIDOW, &c.
1893, Hist. /
File No. 95. 375
Mary Ferguson wid. of
John Ferguson Ohio Rev. was
Act Feb. 3 rd 1863.
Index: Vol A , Page 234
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Ferguson
"Mil. Lenzing"
Mr. [unclear]

21st. Congress
2d. Session
Congress of the United States
In the House of Representatives
December 17, 1830.
On motion of Mr. McCreery,
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Pensions, be instructed to enquire into the expediency of placing the name of John Percison, a Soldier of the Revolution, on the Pension roll of the United States.
Attest. M. S. Clarke Clerk
To be returned when acted upon by the Committee.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Ferguson, John GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 14032 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED March 3, 1792 To Jane Ferguson, Adm te .
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.